How To Prepare for Your Marriage Based Green Card Interview at San Jose USCIS Office

If you’ve applied for a green card through marriage and received an interview notice from the San Jose USCIS Field Office, congratulations, you’re one step closer to permanent residency. However, this interview is more than a formality. It is a critical step where USCIS determines whether your marriage is genuine and meets the legal standards for immigration benefits.

At The Ahluwalia Firm, we’ve guided hundreds of couples through this process. This article will walk you through what to expect, what to bring, which questions to prepare for, and how to avoid common pitfalls including those that could lead to a fraud referral.

Where Your Interview Takes Place

Most local applicants will attend their interview at:

USCIS San Jose Field Office
1450 Coleman Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(800) 3755283

Plan to arrive 30–45 minutes early, dressed neatly and with all required documents organized and ready to present. When you are called in by an immigration officer for your interview, it is strongly advisable to turn off your phone and any other smart devices. This ensures that the interview proceeds without interruptions, background noises, or distractions, and demonstrates respect for the officer’s time.

Planning ahead will help you avoid last-minute disruptions; so silence or power down all devices before entering the interview room.

What To Bring to the Interview

Bring original documents along with organized copies for both the U.S. citizen petitioner and the immigrant beneficiary. Below are examples of documents you may bring. You are encouraged to include any additional evidence you believe will help establish the authenticity of your relationship:

• Government-issued photo IDs for both parties
• Passports (current and expired)
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificate and/or divorce decrees from prior marriages
• Evidence of joint residence (lease agreements, mortgage statements, utility bills)
• Joint financial records (bank statements, insurance policies, tax returns)
• Photographs together over time and with family/friends
• Travel records showing trips taken together
• Correspondence (emails, text messages, letters)

Bring only well-organized, clearly labeled evidence to make the review process easier for the immigration officer.

➡ Pro Tip: Organize all evidence in a binder with labeled tabs. A well-prepared couple makes a strong impression.

Questions You May Be Asked at the Interview

USCIS officers are trained to evaluate whether your relationship is bona fide. Among other questions, they may ask:

• How did you meet and when did the relationship become serious?
• Who proposed, and how?
• What side of the bed do you sleep on?
• What time does your spouse wake up?
• What kind of toothpaste does your spouse use?
• Who does the cooking or laundry in your household?
• What are your in-laws’ names and where do they live?
• When did you last go out together?
• What color is your spouse’s toothbrush?

➡ Tip: Couples may be interviewed together or separately. If interviewed separately, USCIS officers will compare your answers for consistency. Review your shared history, daily routines, and personal details before the interview to ensure you are both prepared to answer confidently and truthfully.

Red Flags That Can Trigger a Fraud Referral

While many marriage-based petitions are legitimate, officers are required to watch for fraud indicators. A case may be flagged for further review by USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) division if:

• The couple does not live together
• You married shortly before filing with minimal shared history
• Documents are missing, inconsistent, or appear altered
• The couple cannot communicate fluently due to language barriers
• There is no financial interdependence (no joint lease, bank account, etc.)
• Either spouse has a history of immigration filings for other partners

➡ Tip: If any of these situations apply to you, it’s important to consult with an experienced immigration attorney before your interview. With the right explanation and supporting documentation, you may still be able to demonstrate that your marriage is genuine.

What Happens After the Interview?

Once your USCIS interview is complete, your case may take one of several paths:

• Approved on the spot – The officer may tell you immediately that your case is approved. You will usually receive your green card in the mail within a few weeks.
• Held for review – The officer may need more time to review your file, verify information, or obtain a supervisor’s approval. This is common and does not necessarily indicate a problem.
• Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) – If additional documents or clarification are needed, USCIS will issue an RFE or NOID. Responding promptly and thoroughly is critical to avoid delays or denials.
• Referred for fraud investigation – If the officer has serious concerns about the validity of the marriage, the case may be referred to the Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) division for further investigation. In some cases, after the investigation, USCIS may schedule a second interview often called a “Stokes interview” where each spouse is questioned separately to compare answers.

How the Ahluwalia Firm Can Help

Preparing for your marriage-based green card interview should not be taken lightly. Even genuine couples can get tripped up by small inconsistencies or lack of documentation.

At The Ahluwalia Firm, we provide:

• Personalized interview preparation sessions tailored to your case
• Thorough document review and evidence organization to present a strong file
• Mock interviews with real USCIS-style questions to help you practice and gain confidence
• RFE and NOID response support if additional evidence is requested

We represent clients in San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, Sunnyvale, and throughout the Bay Area, with a deep understanding of what local USCIS officers look for in marriage-based cases. Our goal is to help you walk into your interview fully prepared and leave with the best possible outcome.

Schedule Your Interview Prep Today

Need help preparing for your USCIS marriage interview?

Call us at (408) 9817696 or request a consultation online at www.ahluwalia-firm.com
Let us help you walk into your interview with confidence and clarity.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law is complex and case-specific. For legal guidance tailored to your situation, contact The Ahluwalia Firm.